The Demon

"Don't look at me," said the creature.

"Why?"

"Because I don't look nice."

"I don't care," I insisted and slowly moved his hand off my eyes. I saw his slightly disoriented face and shook my head. "Because you don't look nice? I don't care."

I regained consciousness, blinking a few times, and looked at the window. The red moon was still up, but the screamings of the servants were gone. I pushed my body up to a sitting position and looked around my room, trying to find a clock. 

"It was a dream?" I asked myself.

The room wasn't lit up, and the light coming out from the red moon didn't help either. I forced myself up off the ground and walked to the clock. It was just midnight, meaning I'd slept at least for good five hours.

I rubbed my stomach as it growled out loud. I remembered I didn't have dinner since something unknown had happened. The red moon looked somehow gorgeous to me, but it reminds me of the color of blood. 

Is this what they call the blood moon? From what I've read from books about demons and the wasteland. The red moon does appear from time to time. At least twice a year, from what I remember. 

I looked at the doorknob, thinking it was alright to unlock it, but I was wrong. I shouldn't have unlocked it and listened to Bianca. The present me was curious, and what they say, curiosity killed a cat. I almost got myself killed. 

I thought there would be food placed in front of my door, and at the same time, I was a bit curious. A bit. I lied. 

I stuck my head out of the door, and I gasped softly after seeing the darkness of the hallways. I remembered the lights were usually on, but it wasn't this time. I looked down at the ground to my disappointment. I see nothing. 

My stomach grumbled out loud, which good thing no one heard. I suddenly remembered that the kitchen was near my room. How can I forget that? I walked back into my room and turned on the lights. 

Is there anything I can use to light my path? It would be nice if there was a candle, at least. I opened the nearest drawer by the door and found a light stick. I cracked the stick, allowing the stick to light up. It isn't the best light, but it works. 

I walked out of the room and slowly headed towards the kitchen. I only hope there will be food as long as it's edible. 

I shivered, feeling a cold breeze pass me. I rubbed my shoulders and stopped walking, feeling a bit scared. I turned my back to see the darkness, and I felt my spine crawl up. I shook my head, telling myself not to be afraid, and kept walking.

I arrived by the doors of the kitchen. I turned the knob and entered the kitchen. To my relief, the lights were opened, and the best is that there were pastries on the counter. I grabbed at least two pieces of pastries, and as I turned my back, the lights went off. 

I froze by my spot and gulped. I grabbed the light stick I left by the counter, and to my luck, the light was slowly fading. The kitchen door creaked, and instinctively I shut my eyes down. My legs trembled, and all I could do was to pray. 

I was pushed onto the wall with great force, making me land on the ground. My eyes grew wide seeing a creature in front of me. I could hear my own heartbeat beating faster and faster. Before I knew it, I felt a cold, sharp object point to my neck. 

"What are you doing here at this time?" Asked a low cold voice. "Didn't Bianca tell you not to leave your room?" He yelled the last few words, which made me tremble all the more. 

"I-I didn't mean to. I just wanted to get some food. I felt hungry," I honestly answered, this time shutting my eyes tightly. But the voice did sound familiar. 

I felt the sharp object retracting away from my neck, and I exhaled out of relief. As I was about to open my eyes slowly, I felt a hand covering my eyes. 

"Don't look at me," he said, sounding hurtful. 

"Why?" I asked though feeling frightened. 

"Don't ask why because…once you see me, you'll want to run away," he answered. 

Not knowing what I did. The corners of my lips grew into a smile, knowing I'd look stupid with my eyes closed. 

"Why are you smiling?" He asked me. 

"Because you're wrong," I answered him and removed his hand. When our eyes met, my smile grew even wider. Somehow this felt kind of nostalgic, but I don't remember where I've seen this. "I'm not going to run away."

"But you're scared. Look, you're trembling," He looked at my trembling legs, which made me laugh out loud. 

  "Yes, I'm scared but then why do I feel like I've seen this from before?" I asked as I watched his eyes grow soft. 

"You've seen this before?" I nodded my head and cupped my hands on his slightly distorted face. 

"Does this happen to you when the red moon comes?" I asked while he shook his head. 

"I did this to myself…As a punishment."

"Punishment? What did you do wrong?" I asked though I knew I shouldn't have. 

"That…is something for you not to know."

"That's alright," I rested my forehead on his. "It must feel painful, Kaeden."

The silence grew in the room, which I understood why. For an hour, I listened to his cries and felt his tears on my hands. From time to time, I would wipe them away from his eyes. But they don't seem to go away. 

He may look like a strong-willed man. But Kaeden looked like he was about to give up. Somehow I felt this man was the same as my dreams. He tends to act strongly on the outside, but he just wants to act like a child on the inside. 

The attachment towards Kaeden grew in me, but at the same time, I felt a distance between us.